Mango trees can be a great addition to a home garden but taking good care of them is very important. Pruning a mango tree is one of the top steps to ensuring it’s healthy and growing properly.
The cost of pruning an average mango tree is about $650. The cost of pruning a mango tree will vary depending on the size of the tree and the number of branches being removed.
Reasons why Mango trees should be pruned
Pruning a mango tree is very important if you want to make sure it grows right and healthy. There are so many reasons why you should prune a mango tree. They include;
- Pruning a growing mango tree stimulates shoot development which results in fast growth.
- Priming a mango tree keeps it at a size that is easy to manage. This allows for easy harvesting of fruits, especially in a home garden.
- Pruning a mango tree boosts fruit production as unproductive branches are cut off leaving space for healthier branches to receive maximised air, sunlight, etc.
- Pruning a mango tree balances growth and fruit production. It does so by regulating how the tree grows while keeping fruit production to a maximum.
- Pruning a mature tree reduces crowding and opens up the tree to receive more air and light which benefits the health of the tree.
- The older a mango tree gets the more branches but pruning the mango tree helps to keep it neat.
How to properly prune a mango tree
Pruning a mango tree is one of the best ways to make sure that it produces good fruit, remains at a manageable size, and is healthy.
Here are a few steps to properly pruning a mango tree;
- You only need to prune a mango tree once a year while it’s young. As it grows and matures, the growth rate reduces so pruning can be done every 2 to 4 years.
- Hire a professional arborist
- If you decide to do a DIY job, it is important to note that mango trees produce urushiol which can cause severe contact dermatitis. So wear protective clothing such as long pants, long sleeves, and gloves before tackling this job.
- First, remove any dead branches or branches that are vertical because they are unproductive.
- Trim older branches and thin out the mango tree to improve sunlight and air penetration.
Pruning a mango tree: professional service vs DIY job
Deciding on whether to get professional help or take on pruning a mango tree depends on the following factors
- Size of the tree.
Young and short mango trees are easier to prune than larger or tall-grown mango trees. You can reach the branches better on a shorter tree and they have fewer branches.
- The type of pruning in question.
Pruning a tree can be more complex as the tree gets older. You may want to reduce the number of branches, get rid of dead branches, shape the tree, etc.
- The knowledge you have
If you are a well-read home gardener, attempting to prune a mango tree will be easier than a newbie who’s never held a pair of pruning shears.
- The proposed budget.
Hiring a professional will cost you money. So if you’re looking to save a few bucks, you can read and attempt it by yourself.
So here are the differences between a professional hire and a DIY job.
With the following considerations, It is better to go with an arborist as they are experts on trees and will handle the pruning of the mango tree with utmost care.
However, if the mango tree is shorter than 6ft with short, thin branches, you can prune it by yourself or hire a gardener to help.
| Professional hire | Do it yourself (DIY) |
|---|---|
| A certified arborist or a lawn care/ garden maintenance contractor is a professional trained to prune trees. | A DIY job is usually done by oneself or by enlisting the assistance of friends and family. |
| Hiring a professional can be costly if the mango tree is tall. | Doing it yourself can save you money if you can't afford to pay a professional. |
| Professionals can spot and correct some issues by pruning a particular branch etc. | A DIY job is mostly guesswork. You're likely to miss something because you're untrained. |
| Professionals prune the trees with the right tools using the correct methods and causing little to no damage. | DIY jobs are only for small mango trees because a nonprofessional could cause damage to the tree. |
| Professional arborists are usually insured. Any damage to the tree during service is covered. | If the DIY job messes up, there is no coverage or compensation. |
When is the best time to prune a mango tree?
Finding the best time to prune a mango tree makes sure that there is little damage done to the mango tree while pruning.
The best possible time to prune a mango tree is immediately after harvest season. Harvest season is when the mango fruits ripen and are ready to be eaten.
However, the pruning of mango trees should be done no later than mid-December. This allows the tree to recover and have enough time to flower and produce fruits in the coming fruiting season.
Author: Ben McInerney is a qualified arborist with over 15 years of industry experience. He uses his in-depth knowledge of the tree service industry to give readers to most accurate information on tree service costs and helps to educate them about the benefits of using a certified arborist for tree trimming and removal work.
